PADIHAM PUSH FOR NEW 3G PITCH

A campaign for a new 3G football pitch has taken a major step forward after £500,000 was secured, with hopes that the Football Foundation will fund the rest.

Padiham and Hapton’s lack of all-weather football pitches has long frustrated local clubs and young players.

Cllr Jamie McGowan has been pressing Burnley Council to move forward with plans for a new 3G facility that would give grassroots teams somewhere to train and play year-round. At the moment, many teams are forced to travel out of town just to train.

The council has set aside £500,000 for the project, but another £700,000 is still needed to make it happen.

The Football Foundation has agreed to fund a feasibility study to decide the best location. This is a key step that could unlock the remaining funding and finally deliver the pitch that local teams and young players have been waiting for.

The push for a new pitch also comes as ward councillors have secured £1,500 to support Padiham Sports Club - another welcome boost for grassroots sport in the area.

Cllr Jamie McGowan said:

I’ve been campaigning hard for this because too many teams from Hapton and Padiham are having to travel out of town just to train - both adults and juniors. The demand is clearly there. Securing £500,000 from the council budget was a big win, and I’m pleased the Football Foundation is now seriously interested in funding the rest.

We want a facility that works for our local clubs, with priority access for Hapton and Padiham teams. I’ll keep pushing to make sure this pitch finally becomes a reality for our young players and grassroots sport in the area.”"